Originally published in ‘zine issue #2, 1991
Sepultura, the Brazilian band that has gained more and more popularity over the years, landed the headlining slot on the New Titans on the Bloc tour that traveled through the United States. When the monster came to Maryland, friend Mark Stauffer and I hopped on the band’s tour bus and talked to an enthusiastic Paulo Jr., bassist for Sepultura. The new album, Arise, was the first subject of discussion.
D.U.: So, do you like how the album turned out?
Paulo: Yeah, sure. We got a lot more time to work on that album. Got a good sound, good mixing, good everything. Good cover, good pictures, and it came the same.
Which album do you like the most overall because of the songs?
Um, I like all the albums, but each album has a different type, you know? But I mean, like all the albums, Arise is the best because got the best production. If the other ones got the same production, you know, it’s gonna be different. Imagine, like, Morbid Visions, Beastial Devastation, with the same sound Arise. It’s gonna be I think better.
Mark asked: Do you have any more plans to re-record some of your old stuff?
Paulo: No. I think no, because that album’s, like, it’s good for that time. We don’t have to change anything. Maybe one song, like we did with “Troops of Doom.” It’s better, it’s more clean, you know?
D.U.: Is there one main thing you like better about Brazil than the United States?
I like Brazil. The laws here works a lot more than Brazil. Like, nobody respect each other down there. Here happen too, but here, if you got some problem with drive drunk or whatever, here works. You go to the jail. Down there, not for all the cops, but most of the cops, you just give some money, you just go away. Not any problem.
So you think the government in Brazil is more corrupt?
Oh yeah. [laughs] I think here works too, but I dunno. But down there it’s worse, I think. ‘Cause here maybe they can stole some money, but they work and the laws here work. Down there it’s not like that. Nobody respect you. If you need a job, you kind of like better than the other guy, but he’s got high friends, you know, political friends, whatever, they put the other guy. The other guy can know anything about the shit, but they put, because he’s got a friend, you know?
Since you got so big now and sold so many albums, are there a lot of bands in Brazil that are trying to sound just like you so they can get big too?
I dunno, maybe. I know there’s a lot of bands, but I don’t know too many. I just know some bands. But I think if you stop to hear all the bands, you’re gonna find something good. And I think we just opened the door for them. You can find original stuff down there.
On the last tour, overall, do you think there’s been a lot of violence at your shows?
Yeah, sometimes we have some problem with the security and the kids.
Is there some place you’ve toured where it’s been more violent than others?
Yeah. Like the communist country we been in this year in Europe, like Poland, Czechoslovakia. We play for a lot of people there, but, you know, they don’t have too many concerts, and I think when they have one they get crazy. And the fucking cops over there, it’s fucking wild. Worse than Brazil. But anyway, it was real good, and I want to come back there.
Do you have a wrap-up comment to say to everyone that’ll read this?
No, just keep the music alive. ■
Photo: Sepultura (courtesy Roadrunner)
